Lead, Asbestos, And Mold

Lead, asbestos, mold and similar health and safety risks can make it harder to take measures to reduce energy usage such as:

  • Some energy contractors require health risks be addressed before any energy work is done. 

  • Health risks can make performing home improvements difficult or even dangerous.

Included below are definitions and helpful abatement opportunities:

Lead

  • Lead is a naturally occurring factor that is toxic to humans and animals. 

  • It causes serious negative health effects, particularly for young children. 

  • Lead can be found in the air, the soil, the water, and inside our homes. 

  • Lead is found in paint, ceramics, pipes, and plumbing materials.

In a lead-heavy environment, people can experience headaches, stomach cramps, constipation, muscle/joint pain, trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability, etc. 

For example: Old paint has a greater percentage of lead in it compared to new paints; however, the EPA still allows a small amount of lead in current paints. The EPA added that when new paint is applied properly or older paint is in good shape, the lead-based paint is usually not a problem. It’s when lead-based paint starts decaying that it poses the most health risks.

The EPA recommends lead inspections and risk assessments for any renters or homeowners who: 

  • have children diagnosed as having lead poisoning.

  • live in a home built before 1978.

  • are in the process of remodeling or doing anything that will disturb lead-based paint or create lead-based paint dust and chips.

By doing an inspection, lead-based paint can be found in the home. Risk assessments will help determine the intensity of the lead risk in the home and will provide ways to control it. Be advised:

If you’re unsure lead is in the home: Get an inspection
If there is lead in the home or a prior inspection was done: Get a risk assessment 

More information on lead is available on Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County’s YouTube channel. More information on lead in your home can be found on the EPA’s website.

Lead Abatement

Abatements are formed to help you get rid of lead-based paint hazards. Those who perform abatement projects must be certified by the EPA. The EPA applies the lead-based paint program in New York. If you need help paying for lead abatement, there are several assistance programs who can help:

Counties in the Mohawk Valley offer their own programs, including:

Other Resources: 

For a directory of certified abatement groups, visit this link: EPA for lead

Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil.

It can be found mostly in:

  • The attic and wall insulation produced containing vermiculite

  • Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives

  • Roofing and siding shingles

  • Textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings

  • Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets

  • Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape

  • Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets with asbestos insulation

  • Heat-resistant fabrics

  • Automobile clutches and brakes

However, most uses of asbestos are not banned, though there are recent efforts from the EPA to reduce usage of it. Asbestos is a known hazard that has shown increased risk to public health, which is why, in the near future, the EPA is seeking a ban on asbestos.

When asbestos is disturbed by product use, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, and remodeling:

If you suspect a material in your home contains asbestos, the EPA advises:

  • avoid touching the area

  • look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. 

  • to not damage, hit, rub or handle or extreme vibration

If done, airflow may release those unwanted fibers. 

The best way to handle a situation with damaged asbestos-containing material is by:

  • Limiting access to the area

  • Not to touch or disturb it 

If asbestos-containing material is more than slightly damaged or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, a trained and accredited asbestos professional is needed to repair and remove it.

Asbestos Abatement

Abatement involves either repair or removal by an accredited asbestos professional. 

Repair:

  • Involves either sealing or covering asbestos material. With any type of repair, the asbestos remains in place. 

Sealing (encapsulation):

  • Involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos fibers together or coats the material, so fibers are not released. 

Pipe, furnace and boiler insulation can sometimes be repaired this way:

By covering (enclosure); it involves placing a cover over or around the material that contains asbestos to prevent the release of fibers. Exposed insulated piping may be covered with a protective wrap or jacket.

Remodeling or making major changes to your home will:

  • Disturb asbestos-containing material and may require removal. Also, the removal may be called for if asbestos-containing material is damaged extensively and cannot be repaired. 

There are programs and resources for asbestos abatement, for example:

To be eligible for reimbursement, a claimant must: 

  • Be able to show that vermiculite is the Zonolite Brand and how much was paid to have the vermiculite removed or contained. 

  • You must incur expenses before receiving reimbursement. The Trust will reimburse 55% of the total allowable expense (maximum reimbursement allowed is $4,934.78).

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Green Jobs – Green New York program offers residential financing [pdf] for asbestos abatement through its Smart Energy Loans, On-Bill Recovery (OBR) Loans, and Renewable Energy Tax Credit Bridge Loans.

At the state level, the Asbestos Control Bureau (ACB) oversees the abatement of toxic hazards associated with asbestos fiber and responds to complaints with regards to asbestos. 

All of the Mohawk Valley falls within ACB’s two districts:

Syracuse District: Herkimer, Oneida, Otsego Counties

  • Address: 450 S. Salina Street Room 204, Syracuse, NY 13202

  • Phone number: (315) 479-3215

  • Email: SyracuseACB@labor.ny.gov

Albany District: Fulton, Montgomery, and Schoharie Counties

  • Address: State Office Campus, Room 166, Albany, NY 12226

  • Phone number: (518) 457-2072

  • Email: AlbanyACB@labor.ny.go

To learn more about asbestos and asbestos removal, visit the EPA’s website. For a directory of certified abatement groups, visit this link: NYS for asbestos. Some home repair assistance programs also cover asbestos abatement. Learn more about home repair programs here.

Mold

Molds are part of the natural environment and can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. 

Issues:

  • Mold is not usually a problem unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. 

  • Molds have the potential to cause health problems, as they produce allergens and irritants.

The key to mold control is moisture control.

For example: 

  • Get rid of sources of excess water or moisture in the home, such as leaky plumbing or water seeping into your foundation due to lack of drainage.

  • Gutters and rain spouts that help channel water away from your house and foundation. 

  • A good drainage around the foundation can be essential to remedy interior mold issues.

  • For rooms that are often or always damp, such as bathrooms, increase ventilation by running a fan or opening a window.

  • Clean the room regularly to keep mold at bay. 

  • Dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

If you clean up the mold but don't fix the water problem, the mold will likely come back. Once you see mold growth, it’s good to act quickly because the longer it grows, the more damage it can cause. 

Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles and carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced. 

If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself following these guidelines; however, if there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. It is focused on schools and commercial buildings, but this document is applicable to other building types as well.

If you hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure:

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Green Jobs – Green New York program offers residential financing [pdf] for mold remediation through its Smart Energy Loans, On-Bill Recovery (OBR) Loans, and Renewable Energy Tax Credit Bridge Loans. 

Also at the state level, the New York State Department of Health’s Mold Program establishes licensing requirements and minimum work standards for professionals engaged in mold assessment and remediation. Visit its website for directories of certified mold removal groups or call the Syracuse District office at (315) 479-3215 or if the county falls within Albany District’s office call (518) 457-2072 instead.

Some home repair assistance programs cover mold abatement. Learn more about home repair programs here.